The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-16
ONE NIGHT WITH STANTON.
President Andrew Johnson's Scheme te
Eject the War Secretary.

President Andrew Johnson's Scheme to
Eject the War Secretary.
Luke P. Poland, in Omaha Republican.
Somebody sent me of your mammoth
numbers of March Is. In letter from Wash
lngtor con tanned in it read the following:
The last number of the Washington Gazette con-
tains well engraved likeness of Gov. John NJ.
Ihayer who was very popular here during his sena-
torial career. He intimate friend of Secretary
Stanton, and on the night when President johnson
contemplated having Stanton elected from the War
department by the marines Senator Thayer remained
with the Secretary, and would doubtless have given
some hard knocks had the marines made their appear
ance."
The above is ali true enough, but it gives but
little OF the events OF that somewhat memorable
night, and as l was one of those ''who were
there" 1t occurred to that some Of the details
might interest you readers.
In the afternoon of that day President John
son sent to the Senate the name of General Lo-
renzo Thomas as Secretary of War. ad interim,
to supersede Secretary Stanton This caused
great excitement. and the Senate Immediately
went into executive session and remained in
session till near midnight. 1t was during this
session that Mr.. Sumner sent his famous mes
sage to Stanton 'to stick" The late General
James Morehead was then the Representative
from the Pittsburg district, and both ne and
myself lived at Mrs. Carriers famous old board
ing house on Capitol Hill
That night Speaker Colfax held the last of his
public receptions for that session. and. neither
General Morehead nor myself had attended any
OF his previous receptions. we decided to 20 to
this but to go quite early and to come away be-
fore the crowd became great Colfax then lived
on the north side of Lafayette square, and quite
near the War Department. General Morehead
and myself were first arrivals at the Speakers
reception, and we were then informed by Colfax
that Stanton was apprehensive of an attemprto
take forcible possession of the War Department,
and thus put General Thomas in actual posses
sion Of the office, and that Stanton was at the
war Department. and intended to remain dur
ing the night Mr. Stanton had resided at
Plttsburg for some period, and he and General
Morehead were very warm personal friends.
and the relations between the Secretary
and myself were quite intimate and
cordial. We at once took leave of Speaker
Colfax and went directly to the War
Department, where we found Mr.. Stanton alone.
except few clerks scattered about in the rooms
near. l have met many people who seemed
pleased to meet me, but do not recollect any
occasion when the pleasure seemed greater or
the greeting warmer than We received, and
especially when announced that had
come to stay" 1t not long before Others
(mainly members of Congress) began to gather,
and on the adjournment OF the Senate there
came quite a reinforcement Of Senators. Of
course, the situation" was the theme of discus
SIGN, and what could be done or what should be
done was presented with all the varying views,
such AS body of men would entertain when in
a high state of excitement. Dakota had for a
delegate a. this time a DR.. Bureigh. who
fuller of fun and mischief than any other man it
has been my fortune to know. This DR.. Bur
leigh had in some way got hold of General
Thomas at one of the Washington hotels. and
strengthened his courage with few glasses, so
that Thomas was declaring stoutly that he
would 60 with armed force and GUST Stanton
from the War Department DR.. Burleeh OF
course. was adroitly encouraging Thomas in his
valiant resolutions and declarations.
Constant reports of these threats by Thomas
were sent to us at the War Department. and
formed another element in our discussions. 1t
was finally proposed by some one tbut do not
remember who'd that prosecution be started
against General Thomas under the recently
enacted "tenure-of Office law This met with
general favor, and was selected, perhaps as
handy lawyer any of the company, to draw
the complaint and warrant. This proceeded to
do as well as I could under the circumstances.
Mr.. Stanton signed the complaint complain
ant. and swore to it before Chef-justlce Cartier.
of the District Court. who was one of those early
on the ground, and the warrant was signed by
Judge Cartier.
Before leaving the night at the War Depart
ment must not forget an act of patriotism that
added much to our comfort, and perhaps to our
courage. though the latter was not heavily
taxed. Among others present the late Hon.
| Samuel Hooper, of Massachusetts, commonly
| called Uncle Sam Hooper" He gave the best
| dinners in Washington, and was reputed to have
| the best larder and other supplies He went
| home with his carriage and returned so laden
| that no garrison was ever better prepared to
| support q siege.
! A considerable number Of US remained with
| Mr.. Stanton through the night. and in the morn
ing General Thomas was arrested on the war
rant signed by Judge Cartier and all threaten
| ing to take possession of tine War Department by
| force ended. On being brought before Judge
Cartier the counsel for General Thomas pro-
! cured delay for few days, and bail was given
! for his appearance
| The Democrats were much exasperated by the
| tenure of-of1ce law, and think they very gen.
orally believed it to be unconstitutional. They
concluded this case of General Thomas's would
give an opportunity for speedy decision of the
validity Of the law by having General Thomas
decline to furnish bail and be committed and
| then brought before the court by a writ OF
habeas corpus. Everything was arranged &C
cordingly. and the day Thomas's case came
up before Judge Cartier Thomas and his counsel
| appeared before Judge Cartier with considerable
| pomp and array, and the counsel announced
that General Thomas would waive any examna
ton before Judge Cartier, and would decline &c
order him committed for want of bail
But Judge Cartier, I presume, hat
knowledge of their purpose beforehand
At any rate he was quite equal to ths
occasion and ready to save his friends and party
| from the dilemma On the announcement by
Thomass counsel that he would decline to fur
nish ball. and he could order him committed
Judge Cartier, with his peculiar twinkle of TIM
| eye and his irimitable stammer, said "Oh,
know General Thomas; he is my peighbor
There is not the slightest danger he will leav,
| the country and Lot be here when wanted, ant
| SO no need of any bail or commitment and
shan't make any order for any" So far as
| know this the end of the prosecution
against General Thomas. How rapidly thing
went onfrom this night to the impeachment an,
trial of President johnson are matters Of publ
history.
l suppose this was, without doubt, the frs
prosecution under the tenure of Office law an
do not know but the only one. A day or tw
after the papers were made they were publishe
in paper in Washington. The paper assume
they were made by Mir. Stanton. and indulge
in some fulsome lau9aton of their style an
skill. A day or two after l met Mr.. Stanton
and he said the newspapers had been maxim
rectec. told him it was quite too trivial
thing to need any explanation, ana not t
trouble himself to do it.
A year or two ago | was introduced to Nj
Worthingtou in Washington. who was then th
United States Attorney for the District II
told me that he was one of the clerks in the Wa
| Department, and of those present on tn
night In question, and his memory of who Wei
| present, and what was said and done ia
| more specific than mine. He told also thu
| the complaint and warrant which | drew thu
| night, and upon which Thomas was arreste,
were now in his possession and carefully pr
served as mementos of a critical period IN pul
| lie affairs Nearly all those who participated
the events of that day have passed over. | ha,
never seen, as | recollect any attempt to civ
the events of that night in the War Department
| If what / remember will interest your reader
| you are welcome to publish it.